The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-06-01
The CotiliOn.

grant cheroots.
The Cotilion.
Just now there is rage 10 Washington
for the cotilion. This dance does not
compete with the colonial minuet in
gravity or strict decorum. In one figure,
for instance, a gayly- decorated target is
placed at one end of the ball room, and
at the other end is stationed lady with
bows and arrows. All along the line past
which the arrows will fly the young
gentlemen dancers stand, and whoever
has sufficient dexterity to catch the
nimble dart secures the fair archer for
his partner. In another figure servants
carry two trays of bouquets of roses tied
with satin ribbons of various shades, one
trayful for the ladies, the other for the
gentlemen. There are two bouquets
alike, one on each tray, and when all are
distributed the gentleman searches for
mate TO his bouquet, which will show his
mate in the dance. The hurdle-race
figure is funny if not dignihed. The
hurdles are of bright-colored silk, and
when six competitors in evening dress
leap the barriers for the prize of GER
tain lady partner fall is not unlikely.
The SNOWFALL game is another figure,
where number of ladies throw paper
snow balls in all directions. The name
of each lady is written on slip of paper
inside each ball.-1Toy Times.
Bridal Wells and Orange Blossoms.
The cnstom of the bride wearing veil
on the occasion of her weddings, with
out doubt, of Eastern origin. Among
Anglo-Saxons it was held over the heads
of the bride and bridegroom to hide the
bushes of the happy lady from the COM
pany. This little compliment was not
paid to a widow on her remarriage, as
her bushes were supposed to have been
exhausted. This custom was gradually
superseded by the Eastern and more
graceful practice of wearing long, sweep
ing, gauzy wells.
How the orangc-blossom first came to
be used at marriages is veiled in obscuri-
ty. In France this custom is matter
of much pride and Importance, inasmuch
as it is testimonial of purity, not only
of the bride herself, but of integrity and
morality in the character of her relatives.
In the province of Franche Comte, to
wear the range-blossom is considered a
sacred right, obtained by undoubted
character, and, as such, proudly main
tanned. Should any act of imprudence
in early life, implying even suspicion OF
taint upon the honor of the maiden, be
known, the use of the orange blossom is
sternly forbidden.
In almost every village or small town
in France the bride entitled to wear the
crown of orange-b blossoms has this beauti-
full certificate of her purity either framed
or placed under glass shade, and it is
religiously preserved, if possible, even
through generations, as an indisputable
testimonial of undoubted character.
In Germany the duties of the brides
maid have just tinge OF superstition
about them. 1t is one of their duties on
the morning of the marriage-day to carry
to the bridge myrtle wreath, for which
they had subscribed on the previous
evening. This they place on her head,
and at night remove it, when it is placed
in the brides hand, she being at the time
blindfolded. The bridesmaids then dance
around her, while she endeavors to place
the wreath on one of their heads. Who
ever is fortunate enough to be thus dec
grated will, it is believed, be herself
wife before another year has passed
away.
In removing the bridal wreath and
veil, the bridesmaids are careful to throw
away every pin, or the bride will be over
taken by misfortune; while any unwary
bridesmaid who retains one of these use
full little articles will materially lessen her
chances of ''getting off,"
Like many other German snperstltlons,
this has found its way into England,
though it has not yet become general
bclicf.--4N the Year Round.
The Dress of Turkish Women.
The dress of the women at home is not
very elegant, nor does it tit them very
well. It is usually loose garment made
of glossy calico, in gaudy colors, tied
around the waist with cloth belt, and
wadded and padded in winter like mat
tress. Underneath they wear kind of
wide pantaloons, fastened at the ankles.
On their feet they wear Low shoes with
out heels orsoles, made of yellow morocco.
Their headgear consists Of kind of en-
broidercd calotte, around which is wound
a strip of very fine muslin, allowing one
to see the embroidery and the color of the
cup. When women belong to wealthy